Jomsom Muktinath Trek

A two-hour drive away from Pokhara leading west, with fabulous views of Annapurna Himalaya ranging from A I, A II, A III, and A-IV with stunning Mt.Machhapuchare “Fish Tail” on reaching Nayapul, begin the trek following Modi river for a short distance to a nice village at Bhirethati and then on the old Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Route trail to Ghorepani, the walk leads to a winding up hills with stone steps in some villages and then arriving at Tirkhedhunga for overnight stop with beautiful waterfalls close by.

After Tirkhedhunga, the morning walk starts with a climb on long stone steps to Ulleri village a nice traditional Gurung village with stone slate roofs with views of Annapurna South, Huinchuli, and the top of Machhapuchhre peak from the top of this village walk gets better on the winding trail through an enchanting forest of thick rhododendron, pines and oaks trees and the with steep up and gradual section reaching at scenic Ghorepani for overnight stop with grand views of Dhaulagiri massif with Tukuche, Nilgiri’s peaks, and Annapurna South, Annapurna Fang ( Vara Shikar) Ghorepani located in the middle of rhododendron forest on the Trans Himalayan Trade of Nepal / Tibet through Mustang.

Walk this morning leads following the Kaligandaki River with great views of Nilgiris South peak, our route heading higher up the river after the village of Dana and then leaving the warm rice terraced area for alpine weather and landscapes overlooking beautiful cascading waterfalls of Rupsi across the river down below, Ghasa the start of Mustang district inhabited mostly of Thakali tribe of people surrounded by confer forest of pines and rhododendron trees.

From Ghasa to Marpha will be one of the longest day walks of this trip, as the morning walk leads gently through the alpine forest with a mild cool climate following the raging river upstream on reaching Lete and Kalapani villages with amazing views of Dhaulagiri mountains with its Ice Falls adjoining Tukuche peaks and on the back Nilgiris peak with Annapurna I and Annapurna Fang (Vara Shikar towards Northeast) this is the right spot where you are on the world deepest side of Kaligandaki gorge, from the high elevation of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna of above 8,000 meters summit top. After a pleasant stop here, continue trekking on the river valley for a while and then reach the apple orchard area of Larjung, Kobang, and Tukuche villages beneath the towering Tukuche and Nilgiri peaks.
From here, leave the tree lines behind as the walk leads to Marpha, one of the most charming villages in all the Himalayas. This place is famous for its apples and products, including apple cider, brandy, juice, dried apple apricots, and local brew.
The neat-looking houses with white paint and nice cobbled stone paths, with an old monastery on top of the village.

With a great enjoyable overnight in Marpha, a morning walk leads again following the Kaligandaki River for some after few hours of walk reaching Jomsom, a headquarters and main town of Mustang area with a small airstrip located on the shelf of Kaligandaki river, after a nice stop here our journey continues on this windswept plain, afternoon is very windy on this valley so take precaution wearing mask or scarf to save your face from cool wind.
Walking slowly, you reach a small place called Eklaibhatti, meaning a lone Inn or house. Currently, there are more than 5 lodges located between Kagbeni and the direct route to Muktinath. After a pleasant stop here, our walk continues along a gradual, winding path to Kagbeni for an overnight stay in a nice, cosy lodge. The afternoon is free to wander and observe local life and culture, as this village serves as the gateway to Upper Mustang and beyond, to the Tibetan border. The culture, religion, and way of life here are similar to those in Tibet.

After a nice stop at Kagbeni this morning will be the last uphill climb of this journey as the walk leads uphill haul with fabulous views of Nilgiris and Dhaulagiri peaks towards the east direction and looking back at Kagbeni village below as the walk reaches higher up, slowly the walk reaching an old looking Jharkot village, from here the altitude gains quite high of over 3,600 meters and then an hour of steep climb brings you at Muktinath area with fine rows of good lodges overnight in a nice lodge with time in the afternoon for a visit to Muktinath temple premises, this temple dedicated to lord Vishnu and the word Mukti means ‘Liberation or Freedom’ people and pilgrims from far and wide of Nepal and India visit this place for blessing and prayer to get liberate from next life and with bathe on the 108 icy water spouts. Great views of Tilicho, the Nilgiris, and the North Face of Dhaulagiri, with Tukuche Peak and Muktinath, lie on the famous trekking route of the Annapurna Circuit.

Today, at the end of the walking part, we took an interesting Jeep ride back to Jomsom. The morning drive leads down the winding, downhill route to the flat Kali Gandaki River plains, and after a short while, you reach Jomsom town, where you spent the last night in the high Himalaya of the Mustang region. The afternoon is free for a short walk around.

Morning an early start from the hotel, as the flight to Pokhara begins early due to the wind factor, a scenic 22 minutes flight brings you to Pokhara with fabulous views of snow-capped peaks during the flight, on reaching Pokhara airport transfer to respective hotels by Phewa Lake, rest of the afternoon free at leisure for individual activities where one can take a boat ride, hike to Peace Stupa or just relax and enjoy the views of Annapurna Himalaya.

Here, as an option, one can take a flight back to Kathmandu. Normally, TH offers options; an overland drive is the best way to see more of Nepal and its way of life, including farm villages and towns. Starting from Pokhara after breakfast, drive on the same highway with views of Annapurna and Manaslu range of mountains, then on reaching Mugling Bazaar another 3-hour drive to Kathmandu, following the Trisuli River for some time with an uphill ride to reach the valley rim and back into hustle bustle city life of Kathmandu, on reaching at respective hotels with afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and souvenir shopping.

On your last day in amazing Nepal, after a wonderful and memorable time in the Himalayas, trekking through the Kali Gandaki Valley & Lower Mustang with a visit to Poon Hill, our staff will transfer you to Kathmandu International Airport for your flight back home.